Haunted Dream makes strong appeal in the Nursery Handicap over ten furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack tonight when Tom Marquand becomes the fifth jockey in as many outings to partner this progressive Ed Dunlop-trained Oasis Dream gelding; career-best effort came last time in a juvenile handicap only 18 days ago. Good, recent form counts for so much, especially at this time of year as thoroughbreds, like flowers, aren’t flourishing as cold weather starts to bite.
It’s the ‘back-end’ and I love it for serious punting because generous prices are often available.
Two naps this week, Resilience and Raydoun, should have won but they are noted for ‘next time’ and it’s pointless crying over spilt milk by making excuses; anything can, and does, happen where betting is concerned; who’d have thought Hungary would hold England to a 1-1 draw at Wembley, Tuesday?
England is vastly overrated and though they will certainly qualify for the next round of action in the lead-up to the World Cup Finals in Qatar next year this current squad will be nothing more than fodder for the classier teams.
The late, great pro-punter Albert Randall instilled into me that betting (on whatever!) is about classification and it’s a reason why my best ‘system’ for profiting is laying short-priced favourites in the Premier League; you can’t go wrong, honestly!
Raw time-figures are my approach to nurseries and Haunted Dream, in the form of his life, ticks enough boxes for an each-way bet with three places on offer.
Notions, an encouraging first-up second (of 14!) to Jazz Club over six furlongs at Windsor 59 days ago needs to win the class 5 six-runner Novice Stakes over seven furlongs for Oisin Murphy to stave off the persistent challenge of William Buick for the jockeys championship which the Irishman has won for the past two seasons.
Buick rides Ramadhaan, also once-raced but not good enough on the time-handicap to trouble my consistent selection Notions, a Lore De Vega colt which trainer Jamie Osborne rates ‘first division’ quality. He’s an excellent judge.
At ‘good to firm’ Brighton don’t miss Botanist in the Novice Stakes over six furlongs.
Not an easy day but I’m happy with the daily patent format.
Brighton, 2.45 Botanist; Chelmsford, 5.30 Haunted Dream 6.30 Notions.
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019